Thinking About Law: Perspectives on the History, Philosophy and Sociology of Law

There is more to law than rules, robes and precedents. Rather, law is an integral part of social practices and policies, as diverse and complex as society itself.Thinking About Law offers a comprehensive introduction to the ways in which law has been presented and represented. It explores historical, sociological, economic and philosophical perspectives on the major legal and political debates in Australia today.The contributors examine the position of Aborigines in the Australian legal system and the impact of the Mabo case; divisions of power in Australian society and law; the question of objectivity in law; the relationship between legislation and social change; judicial decision-making and other issues.Accessibly written, Thinking About Law is essential reading for students and anyone interested in understanding our legal system.

AcknowledgmentsTables and figuresContributorsIntroduction - Rosemary Hunter, Richard Ingleby and Richard JohnstonePART ONE1 Law and history in black and white - Penelope Mathew, Rosemary Hunter and Hilary CharlesworthPART TWO2 Themes in liberal legal and constitutional theory - David Wood, Rosemary Hunter and Richard Ingleby3 Economic and sociological approaches to law - Richard Johnstone4 Objecting to objectivity: the radical challenge to legal liberalism - Gerry J. Simpson and Hilary CharlesworthPART THREE5 Explaining law reform - Rosemary Hunter and Richard Johnstone6 Invocation and enforcement of legal rules - Richard Ingleby and Richard Johnstone7 Judicial decision making - Richard Ingleby and Richard JohnstoneNotesBibliographyIndex